Shropshire Star

Tributes to long-serving councillor and police chairman

A councillor who served Chirk for three decades has died.

Published
Ian Roberts

Tributes to Ian Roberts and the work he did for the region have been made by his friends and local government colleagues.

He was also a former chairman of the North Wales Police Authority. He died at the weekend after a long illness.

Mr Roberts, 67, who took over the family business running a shop in the centre of Chirk, was married to Hilary and had three children.

He served as a Chirk Town Council member and a councillor on Wrexham County Borough Council.

He joined the police authority in 1999 and became its chairman in 2005, retaining the role for five years.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “Ian was a man of great integrity and a fine public servant.

Special

“We served together on Wrexham County Borough Council for nine years and I know he represented his constituents as a county councillor and as a town councillor in Chirk with great distinction.

“As the chair of the former North Wales Police Authority, when he led the successful campaign to oppose the proposed amalgamation of Welsh police forces which would have seen North Wales Police disappear and be swallowed up by an all-Wales force.

“Ian will be sadly missed and my thoughts are with his wife, Hilary, and his family at this difficult time.”

After he stepped down from heading the police authority Mr Roberts became deputy mayor and then mayor of Wrexham County Borough Council.

Fellow councillor and long time friend, Councillor Terry Evans said Mr Roberts had been ill for some time.

"His daughter was recently married and despite his illness, he was so proud to be able to walk her down the aisle," Councillor Evans said.

"He was a very special person who was worked hard for the people of Chirk and the wider area.

"He was the portfolio holder for housing for Wrexham and led on the work to remodel the Plas Madoc area.

"He was very proud of what has been achieved there and he has left housing in the county borough in much better position."

When he stood down from the police authority Mr Roberts said: “I believe in my community in Chirk and I want what is best for the people who live here.

“The importance of the community has been a constant thread through everything I have done. I am passionate about my community and I look after it as best I can."